Windsor Family Dental, S.C.

Extractions

You and Dr. Endicott may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease , or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health.

To avoid these complications, in most cases, Dr. Endicott will discuss alternatives to extractions as well as replacement of the extracted tooth.

The Extraction Process

At the time of extraction the doctor will need to numb your tooth, jawbone and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic.

During the extraction process you will feel a lot of pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal.

You feel the pressure without pain as the anesthetic has numbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected.

If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction please let us know right away.

Sectioning a tooth

Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedure done when a tooth is so firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the socket can’t expand enough to remove it. The doctor simply cuts the tooth into sections then removes each section one at a time.

After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes immediately after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times to staunch the flow of blood.

After the blood clot forms it is important to not disturb or dislodge the clot. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities may dislodge or dissolve the clot and hinder the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this increases blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

Use pain medication as directed. Call our office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious, soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.

It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

After a few days you should feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.

Great dental health starts with excellent preventive care, which is why Windsor Family Dental works hard to help patients take excellent care of their teeth. Since opening their doors more than 35 years ago, Windsor Family Dental has been focused on giving each and every patient the attention and respect they deserve--while simultaneously offering the highest level of dental service.

As general and family dentists at Windsor Family Dental practice several areas of dentistry, including preventive, restorative, implant, and cosmetic dentistry. In addition to offering dental fillings, tooth extractions, root canals, and teeth whitening, this full-service practice also provides partial dentures, cosmetic dental veneers, dental crowns, and treatment for TMJ disorders.

To make your dental appointments as stress-free and convenient as possible, Windsor Family Dental accepts a wide variety of dental insurance plans and offers early morning and late afternoon appointments. Their new Patient Connect 365 online system gives patients the opportunity to schedule appointments online, view past treatment history, and access insurance and procedure information in an instant.

Committed to ongoing education and technology, Windsor Family Dental offers digital X-rays that emit 1/6 the typical amount of radiation, intraoral cameras that detect cavities faster, and top-of-the-line dental materials to create restorations that will last...